Help with Windshields

[kevin58]

Hello everyone.

I am the owner of American Marine Products in Pomano Beach. We are the manufacturers of the windshields for Carolina Classic Boats, amongst many other OEM’s. I was referred to this wonderful website by a member who was looking to repair or replace his CC25 windshield last week. This type of forum is new to me and I am only writing this after a number of hours of learning to navigate around it as well as try to find and understand some of the issues the owners have with our products. I have to say that you are all a very supportive group with some excellent information.

One thing I know from sports and business is that a group or team solves problems faster and more effectively than anyone on their own, and that what this site has shown me. It is my intention to speed up that process and effectiveness even more for our products. I am here to help you all.

Just a little history on myself. I grew up surrounded by the ocean as my father was in the Navy. My love of the ocean can be explained through my involvement with it. I am a surfer, sailor, fisherman, skier, sailboarder, swimmer, environmental activist, etc.. My family lives in Middletown RI and I commute, almost weekly, between their and Pompano Beach.

I purchased American Marine Products from Bob Sullivan and Jerry Avery in January of 2007. American Marine was started in 1968. A very long and rich history. I have been in the boat building industry since 2001 where I was peddling high performance epoxy resins and carbon fiber to mostly the racing sailboat and motorboat OEM community. I am an engineer by training and have been in manufacturing since 1981. What attracted me to American Marine was the high quality and performance product they made, the “A” list of customers they supplied to(note high performance and quality), and the fact that everything they made was done here in Pompano Beach, FL, America. My goals for the company are to increase the product performance and increased customer satisfaction, grow the company and keep a group of happy highly motivated staff employed. And keep manufacturing here in America.

I look forward to helping in any way I can.

[Miss Charlotte]

Hello Kevin,
I might be interested in replacing my 25' windshield, do you have any prices?
Thanks!

[Split Decision]

Hi Kevin

Glad you figured it out. I'm sure there will be some questions on how to fix the white powdercoat that is peeling on the frames.

[THE SHARK HUNTER]

Hi Kevin

Seems like everyone has the same problem with the windshields. I have a question are they steel? I do a lot of powder coating my self and use lot's of powder. I know on steel you must use a zink primer coat before you apply epoxy only on steel. My window frame was deliverd to me with the corroded already started in small spots and it's getting bad. Going to have to remove entire frame and glass to sand blast and re powder coat. this is a big job to do and I kind of do not want to get involved with it but I want to be able to remove it befor it becomes to much corroded to remove the screws any suggestions? Any help would greatly appreciated

Dave
28 cc The Shark Hunter

[kevin58]

Dave,

Really good questions. All of our products are aluminum. And all our frames are welded together. We do not use any iron based products except for the screws that mount these windshields to the deck which are stainless steel.

To correct the corrosion that is in turn ruining the powder coat, or bubbling, you can attack it a couple of ways. First is to sand back the "bubbling" areas to good metal and powder coating. Then prime it with an epoxy primer, ex. Awlgrip Zinc Chromate Wash Primer, followed by two coats of Awlcraft 2000, two part, polyurathane paint. These are professional grade products and need to be handled appropriatly. These are normally sprayed on but for small spots can be applied by brush.

If you are considering removing, disassembly, sandblasting and painting your old windshield I would suggest just purchasing a new one instead. Based on experience, it will be less money. Before you consider this option though try the spot repairs and see how that goes.

[kevin58]

Miss Charlotte,
A number of owners have called American Marine with the same question. We can offer a new windshield in three different finishes. 1. Painted, Awlcraft 2000 polyurethane paint with an epoxy zinc/chromate primer. 2. Brushed, clear bright dipped anodized. 3. Satin black anodized.

I am including volume pricing in case a group of owners want to get together. The pricing is:

CAROLINA CLASSIC 25 WINDSHIELD PRICING

PART NO. PTT-1387B-CLAN
FINISH CLEAR BRITE DIPPED ANNODIZED
ORDER QTY. PRICE, $/EA
1 $1,929
2 - 4 $1,768
5 - 9 $1,684
10 & UP $1,608

PART NUMBER: PTT-1387B-BKAN
DESCRIPTION: SATIN BLACK ANODIZED
ORDER QTY. PRICE, $/EA
1 $2,065
2 - 4 $1,893
5 - 9 $1,803
10 & UP $1,721

PTT-1837B-PNTD
DESCRIPTION: POLYURETHANE PAINTED
ORDER QTY. PRICE, $/EA
1 $2,026
2 - 4 $1,857
5 - 9 $1,768
10 & UP $1,688


Let me know if you have other questions.

[THE SHARK HUNTER]

Hey kevin:
Thanks for the reply yep you are right about that i have an 04 model and think i will have to live with it because i have noticed it has become to much of and workable area to remove and sand or to tuch up. Thanks for the reply and when ready i will give you a call for a quote on a new one. Thanks again

dave

[Sarasea]

Kevin,

I have a 2001 28' CC with the white windshield frame. The plastic/rubber trim that snaps in around the glass is black and in poor shape due to age and sun exposure. I would like to replace these trim pieces with new ones and I have noticed that the new ones are white as well.

Is it possible to get the replacement trim pieces and approx. what would the cost be?

Thanks in advance,
Scott

[Bullish]

Hello Kevin,

Does the Awlgrip Zinc Chromate Wash Primer need to be mixed with the Acid Reducer before applying? I read it was suggested but perhaps not needed.

Thank you.

[Reel Freedom]

Every one of my windshield sections have a problem with what I would call broken exterior seals in the corner joints. I have attached a photo to illustrate what I am talking about. Is this normal and what is the best way to fix it. I know a bandage approach would be to fill with chaulk.

Thanks
Steve

[Sarasea]

Every one of my windshield sections have a problem with what I would call broken exterior seals in the corner joints. I have attached a photo to illustrate what I am talking about. Is this normal and what is the best way to fix it. I know a bandage approach would be to fill with chaulk.

Thanks
Steve

Mine has the exact same thing. I think over time the material actually contracted as it was not that way when I got the boat back in '01.

Those are the pieces I am hoping to replace for that reason as well as the fact they are now badly faded from the sun.

Scott

[kevin58]

Dear Steve,

You ask a common question especially for older windshields. The gasket material is made predominantly of vinyl with some other ingredients added to make it soft, anti mold, etc.. Vinyl, over time, shrinks. You are seeing the corner joints of the vinyl separate due to the shrinking process. This is purely cosmetic. The glass is sealed to the welded aluminum frame with silicon adhesive.

The good news is that this gasketing can be replaced fairly simply by most handy boat owners. I would rate this a 5 in terms of difficulty on a scale of 1 to 10. For comparison purposes, i would rate scraping, sanding and revarnishing a piece of mahogany a 7 or 8.

We stock replacement gasketing. if you are interested in purchasing some please call us directly at 954-782-1400 or email me at kevin@americanmarine.com

Kevin

[kevin58]

Dear Steve,
Reel Freedom.
you bring up a common question about the gaskets. First of all the gaskets are for cosmetic purposes only and your windows should not be leaking because of this separation.

The gaskets are made of vinyl. Over time, especially with UV exposure, they shrink. When we manufacture the windshields we are sure to actually compress several extra inches of vinyl into each section that we glaze.

We can supply these gaskets and an installation procedure. You can contact us at kevin@americanmarine.com or mplanas@americanmarine.com for these gaskets.

Kevin

[Fin Addict]

Why are these frames bubbling up to begin with? I would think that you would get a lot more time out of these frames before something like this happens. I own a 2004 28' CC and in 2005 begining of 2006 the powder coating on the frame is bubbling up, now we are talking a big job to repair the correct way. I would think that powder coating on these frames should last much longer then a year or two, and ther should be a warranty against these types of defects.

[downunder]

Hi all from downunder, "My Girl" ( 32 foot 205 model) is suffering the same complaint of paint coming off, corrosion and the joints shrinking. Is the plastic trim available in Australia or do we get it from you. We are missing a wind screen wiper too port side are they available?.. Being in engineering I am well aware of the expense of stainless steel and the costs of working it but in the long run it would save a lot of pain.

[usrower]

You should be able to locate the local dealer or distributor for the windshield wiper. The windshield wiper is supplied to Carolina Classic from IMTRA.

IMTRA
30 Samuel Barnet Blvd.
Bedford, MA. 02745 USA

508-995-7000

[reeldeep22]

Hi all, I'm curious to know if any of you have heard from Kevin at American Marine. I have tried to reach out to him via phone & email multiple times and have had zero response. I am in the process of closing on a 35 CC which exhibits the bubbling and peeling noted earlier in this thread. More importantly, I am looking for any information concerning the proper way to address the issue. I know Kevin spoke to this earlier in the thread but it is still not clear to me. Any help or insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Split Decision]

They are no longer in business. Mac said they were sold to someone who I cant remember. Give the factory a call and get the info.

[Sarasea]

FYI... the company now mfg the CC windshield is Pompanette. The person to contact is Micheal Avery @ 813-885-2182.

Scott